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I love American Horror Story. This show is filled with heart-wrenching scenes of murder, love stories, dark humor, and so much more. The acting from every character is phenomenal. You can really tell each actor/actress put their all into the show. Every season of AHS is packed with hidden motifs, metaphors, and messages and that is what makes this show so fantastic. But there are some parts of each season that just did not sit well with me. Without further ado, here is my take on all the seasons of American Horror Story, ranked from worst to best.

1. Freak Show

When binging my way through each season, I was ecstatic to watch Freak Show. The thought of a circus filled with dysfunction intrigued me. Unfortunately, after the first few episodes, I felt let down. There were so many subplots throughout each episode that the season became difficult to follow. I did, however, love the star villain Twisty the Clown. Almost everyone is scared of clowns. American Horror Story really brought to life that fear for me. This season is a roller coaster in itself.

2. Coven

“Hogwarts but waaaaay bloodier.” Coven was another one of those seasons that was pretty underwhelming to me. I felt like there was so much potential in a season with witchcraft and they could’ve pushed the magic further so to speak. However, as the season goes on, the plot thickens and gets really good. Trust, betrayal, racism, blood, and murder all will keep you on the edge of your seat.

3. Murder House

After a miscarriage, a struggling couple and their moody teenaged daughter move into an old house in a new town. Little did they know in the house lived some unwelcome guests. If you haven’t watched AHS yet and are interested in starting, I do not recommend watching this season (season 1) first. I adored this season, but it took me a while to get into it. There is a lot going on in the first few episodes that aren’t really explained until later on. This season is full of twists and turns and is definitely one of my favorites.

4. Roanoke

One of the gorier seasons, Roanoke is brilliant. The story is shot like a typical ghost hunter TV show with a family recounting their experience. After six episodes in which nearly everyone dies, the rug is pulled from under your feet with a new plot: Return to Roanoke. The family and their acting counterparts all return to the scene of the crime, each with different motives. In this season, Kathy Bates plays the part of the Butcher, a madwoman with a taste for blood. Not surprisingly, she does a remarkable job playing into that insanity.

5. Cult

American Horror Story’s newest season Cult is incredible. This is definitely one of the strongest seasons of them all. Each episode has a different twist that will keep you guessing what will happen until the end. And the opening scene, oh my goodness! So incredibly intense. This season has undercurrents of modern political activism which is intriguing to some but also may deter others.

6. Hotel

Two words: Lady Gaga. Who knew one of the most influential pop stars of the 21st century would also be an equally fabulous actress. Gaga plays the role of the Countess, a cold-blooded killer with an illustrious history. As each episode progresses and you learn more about the characters, you will become so emotionally attached to all of them, despite their flaws.

7. Asylum

Asylum is by far the greatest of the American Horror Story seasons. There is nothing more terrifying than being checked into an insane asylum for a crime you did not commit. Especially when you discover that there is a lot more than what meets the eye. From corrupt religious leaders to horrific human experimentation, AHS season two is definitely the most intense. A character who really stood out to me was Sister Jude (played by Jessica Lange), the nun in charge of the mental hospital. This character alone evolves so much throughout each episode.

What were your favorite seasons of American Horror Story and why? We want to know what you think in the comments below!